Sara Pace
self-titled
by Samuel L. Wereb
 (Never bury the lead.)
This is one damned fine record.
All I could use is a little less politeness,
A little less politeness
And a little more pedal-steel guitar
All I can use is a little less politeness
A little less politeness
And a little more of who you are
That song is called "Politeness." Bullseye.
I wish I'd written that. A similar theme has been on my mind
for a while. I go out to hear a lot of live acts, and I think
that way all the time about both music and people. I'm just
not able to condense my thoughts that well. Let's face it.
Singer-songwriters are the coolest people in the world.
This is Sara Pace's first album and it's a dazzler. So many
first albums are scattershot and meander all over the place.
This one sparkles in contrast, with its focus and durability.
I can listen to this all day and have. The whole CD rings clear
and true, with no malingering or screwing around to find a style.
She has her own style, sets it right into the groove, and goes
to town.
Pace is pure Americana. She has a perfect voice for country,
quite a bit like Loretta Lynn but less twangy and much more refined,
a la Emmylou Harris. She's got the right voice for folk too,
plaintive and musing, like Joan Baez. Her liner notes thank
Bob Dylan for endless inspiration. I must read something like
that on every third record I pick up, but for once someone fully
appreciates the original excellence of Dylan's story telling.
They both use lots of syllables, but lots of syllogisms too.
It all makes perfect rhyme and reason, as in "Gilman Avenue,"
a song about her new marriage and first matrimonial home.
Lay your boots by the door, babe
Lay your head down upon my breast
Let your worries fall on the floor, babe
And I'll do the same with this old dress.
And if you go don't stay long, dear
Because there's a love waiting for you
On Gilman Avenue
New love, homesickness, hardship and quiet perseverance are
difficult targets for songwriters to hit. Pace knocks them down
like she's in a shooting gallery. (She's also recorded an original
ballad about Calamity Jane that might even turn old Bob's head.)
This CD is chock-full of superb picking and playing, and plenty
of the aforementioned pedal-steel guitar to go around. There's
more good singing, melody, harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm
here than on any first record I can recall. I don't have a very
long memory, but the only way to get more hooks and steel guitar
wailing all in one place is to hold a guitar manufacturers' convention
at a fishing tournament.
The best songs I've mentioned, and I hasten to add "Lay
My Body Down," "Starlight," and "Walk With
Me" to that list. Pace is an old-fashioned singer-songwriter,
with an old-fashioned charming voice. All the songs are hers,
and she plays guitar on every one. Her husband, Doug Milks,
makes major contributions with his guitar and mandolin along
with some highly capable session musicians on drums, violin,
and that pedal-steel.
This record could use maybe one more mid-tempo number, but
what do I know? I don't know how to make a good record, but
I do know when I've heard one.
*Sara Pace is a regular monthly guest on the weekly show,
"Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby," on Wisconsin
Public Radio. www.wpr.org/higherground/.
Her record is available at www.sarapace.com/. You can even hear a few
clips for free. Ain't the Internet grand?
Contact Samuel L. Wereb at wereb-at-rockzilla.net
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